THERE are just weeks to go to submit entries to the Bridport Prize – one of the richest writing prizes in the country with a £15,925 prize fund.

Bridport Prize co-ordinator Frances Everitt, right, said: “Entries are on a par with most years, although I don’t think we are going to break the record. There is still time to get an entry in.”

She said the prize had attracted so-me extra special judges this year with Wendy Cope judging the poems, Michele Roberts, the short stories and David Swann, the flash fiction.

This year the prize has really embraced social media and has a popular Facebook page and Twitter followers, and an audience for its YouTube films. Frances added: “The thing that we have paid a bit more attention to this year is social media.

“Our Facebook page has been very popular and gives out lots of information for writers based on our competition but also for other things that are going on.

“I have also been tweeting and we have set up a YouTube account so that you can listen to the top three winners from last year reading their entries.”

Frances and technical expert Graham Shackleton have been making six second clips for an iPhone app and can also been seen on YouTube.

Frances said: “We have been having a lot of fun embracing the new technology which also brings in younger participants and encourages them to think the Bridport Prize is for them as well as for older more serious writers.”

They have also invited writers as guest bloggers on the website, including past winner Vanessa Gebbie, whose novel The Coward’s Tale was published last year.

Frances said: “The blog is also engaging people in a conversation about writing. This is encouraging people to look at our website to show we are not just a competition.”

The Bridport Prize was started by Bridport Arts Centre in 1973.

Entries close on May 31. For details visit bridportprize.org.uk